£64,691 - £71,330 + excellent benefits

Please note: This role is due to commence in January 2027.

Those Huge Small Victories

Our Deputy Head Teachers are fulfilled by the idea of making even the smallest positive changes in our young people, so we celebrate the little things. There’s lots of ups and downs, and to some of our young people, sitting through a lesson can be a big win. We call these huge small victories and whilst they may seem small on the surface, they add up to make a big difference

Get out what you put in

You’ll be working with children and young people with Autistic Spectrum Disorder/Social, Emotional and Mental Health needs. Alongside the Head Teacher, you’ll set the vision for the future of the school, ensuring we have the right people and plans in place to see that our young people leave feeling proud of what they’ve achieved. You will need to be resilient and dedicated, but those huge small victories that you achieve will be something you’re really proud of.

It can be a tough journey, but the positive steps forward will more than make up for it. As a Deputy Head Teacher at Witherslack Group, you’ll get all the support you need to succeed, from the broader management team, to a range of supporting specialists. Your colleagues will be the best at what they do, the school environments will be well-resourced and we’ll be with you every step of the way, helping you build a rewarding teaching career.

One of the best environments in SEND

Millcourt School is an independent specialist day school based in Shelf, Yorkshire, providing high-quality education for pupils with social communication difficulties, including those with autism and its associated needs. Many pupils may also experience challenges with emotional regulation, sensory processing, anxiety and behaviours that arise from difficulties with communication, understanding and social interaction.

Housed within a beautifully refurbished historic mill building, the school offers a thriving, nurturing and engaging learning environment where every pupil is valued as an individual. Many of our pupils have experienced difficulties in previous educational settings and may have had disrupted educational journeys. At Millcourt, they become part of a community that understands their needs, celebrates their strengths and provides the specialist support necessary for them to flourish.

We are committed to fostering a strong sense of belonging, achievement and success, ensuring that every pupil feels safe, respected and included. Through high expectations, positive relationships and personalised support, we help pupils develop the confidence, communication skills and independence needed to thrive in school and beyond. Our aim is to nurture respectful, resilient and responsible young people who are equipped to overcome challenges, build meaningful relationships and make a positive contribution to their communities.

What we do for you

We know you’re going to do great things. For your hard work and commitment, we reward you with the best salary and benefits package in the education sector. With us, you’ll get to bring learning to life and make a genuine difference to the lives of our young people – plus you’ll get:

• Training: A full induction and on the job training

• Holiday: You’ll work hard at WG, so you’ll be rewarded with full school holidays

• Progression: If career development is your thing, most of our head teachers have been promoted from within our group

• Flexible benefits: meaning you can increase/decrease benefits such as life insurance – check out our benefits here

• Pension: we offer a range of pensions to suit your lifestyle needs including Teachers’ Pension and our very attractive TPS alternative

• Wellbeing: a host of wellbeing tools and advice including employee assistance

• Medical cover so you can claim back the cost of things like an opticians or dentist appointment and a host of high-street discounts

• Beautiful working environments with the very best facilities – check out our schools here

• A recommend a friend scheme that offers a £1,000 bonus every time

Bring your whole-self to work

Our young people come from all walks of life, with diverse backgrounds and a wide range of needs. Our workforce reflects that diversity, enabling our teams to engage, encourage and inspire every young person to be themselves. You'll be more than a Deputy Head Teacher – you'll be a compassionate, creative and inspiring leader who is committed to achieving the very best outcomes for every pupil. To be successful in this role, you'll have:

- Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and previous teaching experience.

- Significant Senior Leadership Team (SLT) experience, ideally at Assistant Headteacher level or above.

- Significant experience working with children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).

- Ideally, experience working across both primary and secondary phases within a whole-school setting.

- A minimum of two years' leadership and management experience.

- A strong focus on achieving positive outcomes for young people, recognising success goes far beyond academic achievement.

- A creative and flexible approach to teaching, learning and school leadership, with the ability to adapt to meet individual needs.

- A passion for raising the quality of teaching and learning across the school.

- A clear understanding of what effective behaviours for learning look like and how to embed them.

- Effective leadership, coaching and mentoring skills, with the ability to inspire and develop others.

Interested in joining us?

For further information and to arrange an informal visit please contact Ceri Jones (Senior Recruiter) [email protected]

At Witherslack Group, inclusion is part of who we are. We’re committed to creating an environment where everyone feels respected, valued and that they truly belong.

As a specialist provider of education and care for children and young people with special educational needs, we understand the importance of embracing individuality and championing difference- especially when it comes to neurodiversity. We celebrate diverse perspectives, lived experiences, and the unique strengths that each person brings to our community.

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, identities, and abilities. We are proud to be recognised as an inclusive employer and are committed to making our recruitment and workplace practices inclusive and accessible. If you need any adjustments to support you through the recruitment process or in the workplace, we’ll be there every step of the way.

By building a diverse and inclusive team, we’re better able to support the children, young people and families we serve and ensure every member of our team can thrive, grow, and be their authentic self.

The Witherslack Group is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of its young people. This post is subject to an enhanced DBS check (we will cover the cost) and an online search. We are an equal opportunities employer welcoming applications from all sections of the community.

For a full job description and person specification, please click here.

To view our ex-offenders policy please click here.

To view our Child Protection Policy, please visit the 'Parents and Carers' section of this School/Learning centre. You can find all our Schools here.

Special Education / Careers in Care / Careers in Special Education / Working with Children / SEMH / SEN / ASD

#INDH